Delhi braces for another Pathankot: Intelligence alerts warn of planned terror attack this month targeting Army bases and police stations

The threat of a Pathankot-like terror strike looms large over the national Capital, which is preparing to host the Republic Day parade this month.

The threat perception has become more real in the wake of intel inputs that two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants have snuck into Delhi to carry out high-profile attacks.

Adding to the concerns of the security agencies, various armed contingents have already arrived at the Delhi Cantonment for the parade, which also sees display of India’s weaponry.

Armymen get ready for action at the air force base in Pathankot on January 3 following an attack by gunmen

Reacting to the specific inputs received by Delhi Police Special Cell, the armed forces establishment and police stations located at isolated places have been put on high alert.

Also, security has been beefed up in sensitive zones and prominent establishments that may be targeted by suicide attackers. There is high probability that the attack could take place in January itself.

“There is a possibility of terror attacks on isolated police stations or contingents of the armed forces. It is imperative for the local police to be prepared round-the-clock. It is also necessary that mock drills are carried out to assess the response time, status of weapons and equipment, mobility and coordination with the Special Forces," said a letter issued recently by the Deputy Police Commissioner (Special cell).

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Sensing the gravity of the threat, Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi, in a recent meeting, asked districts units to prepare their SWAT teams so that Delhi Police can easily avert or combat any possible terror attack.

Teams have also been asked to be prepared for a hostage-like situation.

Forces' meet

According to sources, in a couple of days, top officials of paramilitary forces, the Delhi Police, NSG and other forces will convene a coordination meeting to avert any terror attack in Delhi.

“A meeting is scheduled with all top officials of security forces on Monday or Tuesday. Also, Delhi’s major establishment will see multiple mock drills so that agencies can understand flaws in coordination and preparedness and rectify it,” sources said.

A Delhi Police SWAT vehicle stands guard at India Gate after reports emerged that two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrosists had snuck into the Capital after the attack on Pathankot air base

Meanwhile, Delhi Police say they are ready to deal with any attack, including a Pathankot-type attack.

“Delhi Police is fully prepared to deal with any attack. Every police station is equipped to deal with any such attack. We also request the public to give information to the police about any suspicious activity, person and object. Public participation is equally important,” Special Commissioner of Police (DG Scale) Deepak Mishra told Mail Today.

Districts have also alerted standby forces to deal with any fidayeen attack, even if it takes place at isolated police stations.

“We are ready to react with equal force in case any attack takes place. Every police station, be it at an isolated place, is equipped with arms and ammunitions and a professional staff,” Joint Commissioner of Police, South Western Range, Dependra Pathak, told Mail Today.

In a recently-held meeting, Bassi had said all districts will constitute SWAT teams on the lines of the Indira Gandhi International Airport police to combat any attack.

Importantly, the anti-terror unit has also urged mock drills to check coordination between all security agencies. According to sources, terrorists are eyeing police stations situated on the outskirts of the Capital as they are easy targets.

The Capital was put on high alert following December 2nd's terrorist attack in Pathankot

“Various police stations like the ones in Jafarpur Kalan and Narela are situated at isolated areas. These stations do not have good connectivity with the main city but police station staff has been briefed about such attacks. We have prepared routes and plan to react to any terrorist attack,” a top Delhi Police official said.

In a tweet on Sunday, Bassi had appealed citizens to be vigilant.

“Citizens' vigil against suspicious persons/objects/ activities is vital to counter-terrorism. Report anything amiss on 100 or helpline number 1090,” he tweeted.

According to a senior police official, Bassi held a meeting on Sunday with the police’s top brass and the department sought help of central paramilitary forces in providing security, especially around vital installations in the city.

Sneaked in

“We have inputs regarding two Jaish-e-Mohammed key members who have sneaked into Delhi and are suspected to be planning high-profile attacks. We have also got a few additional companies of paramilitary forces to increase security following the alert,” a senior official said.

'There was no security lapse'

By Mail Today in New Delhi

Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said four terrorists were killed in the gun-fight on January 2

Hours after Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that the counter-terror operation in Pathankot had been completed with the killing of five Pakistani terrorists, the Centre said at least two more assassins were still holed up. He later deleted his tweets.

“We are sure that still there are at least two more terrorists as firing has been heard from two different places. We are not sure whether there are some more. We will come to know the number of terrorists only after the completion of the operation and body count,” Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said.

Asked about the Rajnath’s tweet, Mehrishi said he was giving authentic information and did not know what others were saying.

According to the home secretary, a superintendent of police who was kidnapped along with two others on Friday and let off later, had said that there were only four terrorists.

Mehrishi said four terrorists were killed in the gun fight on Saturday while firing resumed on Sunday afternoon at two places at the Pathankot airbase. The home secretary countered media reports that there were lapse in the counter-terror operation.

“There was no lapse. Some casualties are obvious when there is an operation of this scale,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singh said terror strikes would have been more severe if there were no intelligence reports.

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Delhi braces for another Pathankot: Intelligence alerts warn of planned terror attack this month targeting Army bases and police stations